Prep Baseball Report

Porsche Exchange Player of the Week: Sam Geraci



By Sean Duncan
Executive Director

Sam GeraciAfter Illinois Lutheran steamrolled Webber Township 12-2 in six innings to win the Class 1A state championship at Dozer Park in Peoria on Saturday, two-way senior standout Sam Geraci stood with a few media members calm as can be, speaking matter-of-factly about the Crete school’s first state title.

“Starting at the beginning of the year, we knew we had something special,” said Geraci after the game. “To win it all means a lot. … We were focused and came to play.

“This is definitely what I expected. I knew the type of guys we have. Everyone one through nine are great, on and off the field.”

Geraci was a one-man wrecking crew last weekend at the state finals. In the championship game, the 5-foot-11, 165-pound Parkland College recruit sparked the offense, going 3-for-4 with four RBI. His two-run double in the second inning got the Chargers going, and his two-run triple in the fifth helped push the game to a mercy-rule finish.

On the mound, Geraci (5-1) pitched five strong innings, yielding three hits, two runs, one earned with three strikeouts and no walks.  He retired the side in order in four of his five innings. Senior right-hander Jared Buzan struck out the side in the sixth to cement the rout.

Geraci also closed out the 1-0 victory against Argenta-Oreana in the semifinals on Friday. After junior right-hander Grant Farmer blanked Argenta-Oreana through six innings, yielding only two hits, Geraci came in to close out the seventh pumping 86-87 mph fastballs. Geraci stuck out two and induced a squibber back to the mound to earn the save. When he wasn’t pitching, Geraci played a stellar defensive shortstop. He also walked twice in the semifinal victory.

The Porsche Exchange salutes Strus for his hard work and success.

CLICK HERE for past Porsche Exchange Players of the Week winners.

2014 Porsche Exchange Slide 1